This is my all time favorite book yet of Kay Bratt! Full of love, sadness, grief, secrets and plenty of amazing history this book hooked me instantly! The beautiful and detail put into the culture and the scenery of Maui made me feel I was right there in this book! Quinns mother leaves her with a deathbed confession that leaves her wondering who she really is. Will she be able to find the truth and forgive what has been kept ftom her for so long? A beautifully written masterpiece that left me wanting more! I couldnt put it down!I loved this book and its characters! Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union publishers for my arc copy in exhange for my honest review. All thoughtd and opinions are my own. A must read!

First time reading this author, (another of our SC authors) but I will be looking for her other books to read and enjoy!
No book report from me, cover description is adequate.
Characters are realistic,conversational, and likeable (except for the controlling arrogant boyfriend). Descriptions of the Hawaiian setting are lovely, and the information regarding their language and traditions are quite interesting. Their culture is slowly being stolen from them by expansion and tourism and it's nice to see it appreciated. One can be as superficial or as deep as they care to understand regarding the points about relationships with the family,friendships, and community. A great women's fiction read.
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Quinn's mother is on her deathbed and with her last words she utters something that unravels everything Quinn knew about herself. In that moment, with those words, and her mother's final breath, she was never more alone. To find out who she is she must ask hard questions, be willing to listen, and do thing that make her uncomfortable.

This book hit me on a personal level, my story isn't exactly the same but I could feel some of the emotions and at times it was hard to read with it forcing me to re-live times in my life that I would rather not. I think that speaks to Kay's ability to write, hit people in the heart and be true to what real life can hold.

Read the book, you will not regret it. I cannot wait to see where this story goes from here.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author, Kay Bratt, for the opportunity to read the ARC of True to Me and give my true and honest review

Quinn Maguire has it all, a handsome, wealthy fiancé, a top level job and lives in a beautiful condo. But it is all put on the back burner when her mother stuns her with a deathbed confession. This sends her to her mother’s birthplace,
Maui, to find out the truth.
An interesting story of secrets, families, island myths and love. Kay
Brat develops strong and interesting characters, paints a beautiful picture of Hawaiian culture and beliefs and pulls the reader into the enchanting traditions of island life. As Quinn fends off her unfaithful fiancé at home, she’s gaining some of the self confidence that she has lacked growing up, as she tries to find her identity. This is more than a beach read, it’s story of claiming family and it’s traditions. Definitely a five star read.
My thanks to #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing and #KayBratt for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover. After reading the blurb I knew this was a must read.

Quinn Maguire has always done the right thing. When her mother passes away it turns her world upside down in search for answers.
Determined to do the right thing Quinn travels to Maui and encounters a few hiccups she never saw coming. Will she be able to find the answers she's looking for?

To say I loved this book would be a big understatement. I found this book to have a genuine and authentic feel, realistic and relatable characters, and unexpected plot twist and a perfect ending. I highly recommend this five star read.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to express my own honest opinion of this story.

So how would you handle a deathbed secret?? Well Quinn had to figure out how to handle it...so many emotions from betrayal, deceit to redemption and forgiveness. This is my first book by Kay and definitely will now be my last. Cant wait for the next one!!

This book surprised me when I had become convinced I wouldn't be surprised. Quinn lives in Savannah with her fiance. Her mother has just died leaving her with an inheritance she didn't expect along with a cryptic message. Her absent father, and the guy listed on her birth certificate, isn't her father. But her mother wouldn't tell her who her father actually is. Quinn decides to go to where her mother grew up to try to find answers. She uses part of her inheritance to buy a house in Maui where she finds big surprises awaiting her that she certainly didn't anticipate. I went through the best part of the book being convinced I had guessed the ending which was disappointing to me at the time. Too predictable, I thought. But I was wrong. I was pleasantly surprised when things went in a direction I didn't anticipate. That's a really good thing for me. There is also a potential love story here. There is certainly a big mystery. And you will grow to like the main characters as you root for them to be successful. There are definite hints of a sequel here. But that's not to say this book didn't conclude satisfactorily. In other words, there were no big cliffhangers here. All in all, I ended up really liking this book and will be reading any sequel(s) that may follow. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy, and this is my fair and honest review.

Quinn Maguire's world is rocked when her mother makes a confession on her deathbed. Her whole life, she has felt resentment to her absentee father. Now she finds out that this man is not actually her father. This leads her to Hawaii on a search for answers. The island home she buys sight unseen is full of surprises also. Will she get the answers she desires? Will her fiance be understanding of her wish for answers? This story kept me engaged. I really enjoyed it.

I always enjoy stories where I learn about the setting, culture and people that make up the culture. The base of this story takes place in Maui where Quinn arrives to scatter her Mother's ashes. Her Mother a Hawaiian reveals a secret on her death bed that puts Quinn's perfect life in a tail spin. Once on the island she discovers more to the secret. Quinn also discovers what her relationship with her fiancé truly has become. The story brushes upon what the culture of Hawaiian means to the people she's met and the friendships she's built along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lakeside Review for an ARC of the book. This review is in my own words.

Quinn's mother blew her away when she made the deathbed confession that the man she thought was her father was not. Her mother's request that her ashes be scattered on Maui leads her there to find out more about her mother, as well as her father. Would that we all be so lucky as to be able to afford a house there, sight unseen or not. The complication that there's a family living in the home seemed a contrivance but it did help to round out the chartered. Quinn's fiancé Ethan is a worm but she doesn't seem to realize this til she's in Hawaii. This nicely written novel is really about a woman who remakes her life and finds her feet after a surprise and a move. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC.

This is the first book I have read by Kay Bratt but it is now clear that I will have to buy some of her past books. While I love thrillers and suspense, there are times that I just want a “feel good” story, and this book was just right.

The story took me back to the days when I travelled to Hawaii frequently to work. I loved the moments I was able to escape the tourist areas and enjoy the scenery and chat with some of the delightful local people. This is a story of family, friendships, forgiveness, and finding yourself.

I really like Bratt’s style of writing. It was an easy read, no alternating perspectives, no dual timeline. Just a simple read. Characters you can’t help but love. Romance and a bit of mystery. A great holiday read.

Thank you to the author and Lake Union Publishing for the e-galley. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Another amazing story from an amazing author! Kay Bratt has brought the story of Quinn McGuire to life for me in her excellent storytelling and character development. I was hooked from page one and engaged throughout. The amazing storytelling had me wanting to visit Hawaii! I look forward to reading the sequel and learning more about Quinn and her family and friends. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review that is my own thoughts and opinions on the book.

What a beautiful story. Quinn has quite a time figuring out her family history. Lucky her, it was all in Maui! It was interesting reading about Hawaiian customs. I really enjoyed this book. Kay Bratt made me feel as if I were there. Well done. I was lucky enough to get to read this through Netgalley.

Will review to Amazon and Barnes & Noble on pub day.

You had me at Maui and genealogy. My favorite place and the study I find fascinating. This book sucks you in at the beginning and holds you until the end. Just unbelievable enough to be totally believable.

Quinn and her mother are very close. But, on her mother’s deathbed, Quinn is told something that rocks her world; the story she has been told all along about her father is a lie. This starts a mystery Quinn needs to unravel herself. This starts her impulsive decision to buy a house, site unseen, and fly to Maui, a place very special to her mom. From here, the story unfolds with many heartbreaking twists.

This was my first book by Ms. Bratt, and I look forward to reading more. Her writing and storylines flow effortlessly and she brings her characters to life, with all their flaws and strengths. She describes the beauty of Maui perfectly, making you feel like you are there. Aloha!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

True to Me is the first book I have read by Kay Bratt. This book takes place in Hawaii on Maui. The main character, Quinn, has recently lost mother and learned that her father was not who she thought. She makes a trip to Maui to try and learn more about her family and to spread her mother's ashes. Not only does she learn about her family ties, but she also experiences personal growth as well.

I liked this book a lot. I learned a lot about Maui and Hawaiian culture. The mystery of Quinn's heritage kept me turning the pages, and the characters were interesting and realistic. I was more than satisfied with the ending of the story and will be interested in reading future books by this author.

I read this book compliments of Net Galley. All my thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Since this is the first book that I have read by Kay Bratt, I didn’t know what to expect, but I must say I was blown away with her ability to paint a picture with words and to draw me into the story quickly. Quinn’s mother whispers a long-held secret on her deathbed, sending Quinn on a quest to discover her heritage. Her search takes her to the island of Maui, where she meets Liam, her guide who becomes her friend and helper in her quest. This is a magical look at one woman’s search for her ancestry and her discovery of so much more. The words used to describe the island of Maui and its people took me on a virtual journey there because they were all so alive and full of color. It was obvious from the descriptions that the author didn’t just research for this novel, but she traveled there and shared part of her heart for the place with her readers. Filled with a history of the culture and traditions of Hawaii, this book is to be read and enjoyed by anyone who likes women’s fiction and romance. The captivating story took me to places I have never been and showed me those places through the eyes of a woman named Quinn, someone who was trying to discover her past but found her future, also. I loved this book and highly recommend it!

This is my first Kay Bratt novel but it won't be my last...... Quinn kept me so intrigued.... Would she find the confidence and strength to tell her overbearing, obnoxious, control freak fiance of 10 years where to go as she found the courage to go look for her mother's family, assuming they would be Hawaiian as her mother spoke about the Island and wanted to be returned there following her sad demise. Quinn's journey, meant she learnt lots about herself, that she was a strong, independent woman with a mind of her own, culminating in learning the sad sorry surrounding her very young life, her mother and her extended family.... Can't wait for Maggie's story

This book is about a young woman whose life is one party after another without thought to consequences.
Her life is turned upside down by chance meeting with a painter. She marries for money not love. But she has a special gift that will forever change all of their lives.
There was so much truth in this beautiful and moving story.
The characters were very real.
I truly enjoyed this book.
Thanks to NetGallery for a free ARC., and allowing me to be a reviewer.

This is my first read by Kay Bratt and I love her writing style. It’s described as a “by the sea novel” but it’s so much more than that.

It’s full of history, sorrow, love and secrets! Once I started “True to me” I could not put it down!

“True to me” is set in Maui which is an island in the central Pacific and is part of the Hawaiian archipelago. It’s full Hawaiian culture and history. I loved learning new words and respected how much the Hawaiian people value family and nature.

The story follows Quinn Maguire who’s mother confesses on her death bed that Quinn’s father isn’t who she’s always believed it to be. This confession causes Quinn to question everything and to return to her roots in Maui to search for answers. What she find in Maui is more than she could of ever imagined - in more ways than one. Her story is one that wouldn’t be out of place on a true crime documentary. There’s so many twists and turns that just when you think you have the story figured out there’s another shock!

The character development in “True to me” is stunning. Several characters stories had me in tears and I grew to really care for them. They all had their baggage but were good people. Which is clear throughout the story is the.. Hawaiian way.

I loved this novel and it won’t be the last I read of Kay Bratt. It will stick in my mind for a long time. It was so well written I have to keep reminding myself it’s not a true story.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC in return for an honest review.

Excellent story with believable characters. The description of the setting makes one want to travel to Maui. The plot is unique and one would never guess the ending. Actually would like to see more novels with these characters being developed more.